Federal Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock knows how to kick a man when he's down. About 1500 East Timorese – more than 80 of them long-time Territorians – are in danger of being deported.

They have been told to get out regardless of how long they have been here and even if they have children who were born in Australia.

Territorians, to their credit, have rallied around the East Timorese, arguing that they have become an integral part of our community. In short, they are Aussies now.

Rather than making soothing noises, Mr Ruddock accuses the asylum seekers of getting into Australia by "deception". He dismisses them as "unlawful citizens" who would have been sent straight back to East Timor if they had not applied for refugee status.

All this may technically be true. But the outburst exposes Mr Ruddock's mindset – he is not sympathetic to the asylum seekers' cause, regardless of how justified that cause is.

And the Minister fails to mention that the East Timorese did not flee their country because they fancied a change of scenery. They were involved in the independence movement and fled because they were in danger of being killed by the Indonesian military.

Even someone as literal-minded as Mr Ruddock should be able to understand that.

The Territory Timorese need all the help they can get if they are not to be wrenched from what has become their homeland and sent packing.

The CLP's Dave Tollner and Nigel Scullion are clearly embarrassed by all this. That's why they have been so quiet of late.

They should forget their politicial allegiances for a while and start doing something about making sure 84 of their constituents are not the victims of gross injustice.